Teen Powerlifter & MassMuscleTV's - Caleb Ralston Interview by Jeff Alberts
Here at 3DMJ we are so proud to have featured top natural pros such as current WNBF World Champion Martin Daniels, IFPA Pro USA Champ Katy Wayman–White and the APA’s World Record Deadlift holder in the 198’s Junior division, Bryce Lewis. These are just a few of the many great athletes that have appeared on our site, but this month’s amazing young athlete is not only making an impact as a teen powerlifter, but also as one of the best video producers for both bodybuilding and powerlifting videos on the net. 3DMJ is very honored to feature the USAPL’s American 242's teen deadlift record holder and one of the creators of MassMuscleTV, 17 year old, Caleb Ralston. 3DMJ: First off, give is a little background on Caleb Ralston the Powerlifter. CR: Well, I got started into lifting about 2 ½ years ago with the goal of getting into better shape. I went from weighing 193 to 172 in about 4-5 months. I radically changed my diet, and decided I was going stick with it, but the goal was NOT to get big or strong. I eventually started getting hooked and wanted to pursue bodybuilding. So, with the help of my dad, I started training and making pretty good gains. Eventually my dad wanted me to start deadlifting for Back development (best back exercise by far!) and I started making pretty good gains. Eventually my dad said that I should check what the records were for the state in powerlifting. Having no idea what powerlifting was, I checked. I saw that the deadlift record was too high for me to get, but, the Squat and total record was within reach. So, I decided to start training for the meet. The meet went pretty well, and I was hooked! 3DMJ: Who or what introduced you to the sport? CR: My dad, he’s competed in bodybuilding for 20 years and he competed in Powerlifting back in the day for about 10 years while training with the great Doyle Kennedy (Doyle Kennedy set and held the Deadlift Record at 903 lbs for many years, and was the first man to Deadlift over 900) at Kennedy’s Gym in Salem, Oregon. 3DMJ: Talk about your recent powerlifting event where you just broke an American teen record with a 475lb deadlift at the USAPL Washington. CR: Well, the meet in of itself was definitely interesting. Was warming up on the Squat, the plan was to do 225 for a single, then single 275, then go out for the opener. I had just done 225, and then a buddy of mine came running into the warm up room yelling to me that I was up, and that 30 seconds of my time had already gone by! So that made things kind of weird! But the Deadlift went really well, I was tired during the warm ups, but for me, there’s something about the Deadlift that jacks me up!! So with some yelling in my face from my dad, and a good slap on the back from my buddy Ryan, I was jacked up!! 3DMJ: What did your training look like leading up to the event? CR: I was doing a 4 day split. Shoulder work on Monday, Bench work on Thursday, Squat work on Friday, and I would Deadlift every 10 days for maximum recovery.
First 7 Weeks: Close Grip Cable Rows-1 heavy set Last 4 weeks: 3DMJ: Was there a specific nutrition plan you followed to help you achieve your record deadlift? CR: Yeah, food all the time! I was eating constantly. Last year I competed in the 198’s, this year I was in the 242’s! I gained about 30 lbs in a year. So I would eat tons of rice, pasta, bread, and just tons of carbs. I also went off of my super strict diet just so I could make sure I was in 242’s. I believe that at a young age, your body doesn’t really need that much protein for building muscle, but rather your body uses more carbs. I eat about 150-200 grams of protein, 200 being a really high day. I eat about 500-600 grams of carbs in a day, 500 being a really low day! Basically, I can eat more in a day than your average human consumes in a week! Well, at least close!
3DMJ:Now that you are an American Record holder in the deadlift, what's next on your to do list? CR: Get my freaking bench up!!! I plan to absolutely slay my bench, and the way to do this is not only get stronger, but get big pecs, and big shoulders. I’ve been working with Jeff Magruder lately (Jeff held the World Record in the bench at 661 for many years-before they had shirts!), I’m going to start adding a little bit of volume to my bench workout when I start that up again in about 6-8 weeks. 3DMJ: Will you or have you adjusted your training since the USAPL Washington meet. If so, what exactly are those changes? CR: I’m going to move to a bodybuilding style workout for the next 6-8 weeks using lots of dumbbells, just to give my body a break from the triples and singles. Hoping to build size in my chest and shoulders!!! 3DMJ:Your father, Ken Ralston is a tremendous bodybuilder in his own right, is there any competitive bodybuilding aspirations in your future? If so, do you have any goals in mind? CR: I would like to compete in a bodybuilding show one day, just not quite sure when. I’m 6’6”, so I have a very large frame to fill out, which means it could take a while! I definitely will not step on stage unless I’m a contender, not that I have anything against guys who place in the top 5, but my goal would be to contend for first place. If I’m not in the condition, then I wait longer. But it’s definitely a goal of mine. 3DMJ: Who inspires you both in powerlifting and bodybuilding? CR: In powerlifting there are several. Fred Hatfield, Ed Coan, Jeff Magruder, Layne Norton, Andy Bolton, Mark Bell, Donnie Thompson, and Scot Mendelson. For Bodybuilding, I would have to say first off my dad, then Layne Norton, Ronnie Coleman (Got to love "dat Heavy Weight!"), Stan Efferding (I mean c’mon, Powerlifter and Bodybuilder?!), Skip Lacour, Kai Greene, and Phil Heath.
CR: I’ve been into cameras and editing video since I can remember. I love the artistic side of filming and editing, it’s definitely an amazing thing! I believe every good business or product begins with a need. We saw the need for excellence in video for companies, personal brands, as well as Bodybuilding and Powerlifting. We started Believe Media with the goal of making companies, personal brands, etc. become more believable to their customers and our fans. What I mean by that is that we wanted a more personal connection for companies/personal brands with their customers and fans to create more of trust between the two. Check out the two examples below of Caleb's extraordinary talent! 3DMJ: Your videos are very creative and well put together. What exactly goes into producing these awe-inspiring videos? CR: A lot, probably a little too much to explain over text. We’re thinking about doing a video showing one of our set ups, as well as a lower cost set up for lifters to use for next level quality. 3DMJ: What are your future goals as a video producer and media company? CR: To have Believe Media become the Number 1 Video Production Company for Bodybuilders and Powerlifters, so to help them gain more exposure for the sport we all love! Also to build MassMuscleTV up, get some more sick interviews packed with info, as well as some sweet training videos! 3DMJ: Where could someone reach you for your video or media services? CR: Best way to reach us is email. You can hit me up @ calebr@believemedia.net 3DMJ: Do you have any advice for other aspiring powerlifters, bodybuilders, or film makers? CR: Lift heavy, pain sucks, but it comes with the territory. So, learn to love it. Make videos, make videos, and make videos, just like training, it’s not overnight, and it takes time. 3DMJ: Caleb you have attained so much success early on and you are truly an inspiration for not only me, but for many others as well. 3DMJ thanks you for taking the time to share a little about yourself. CR: Thank you! 3DMJ is BOSS! |
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3DMJ: You are not only a powerlifting athlete, but you are also very rapidly gaining a lot of fame as a video producer creating many top notch videos for MassMuscleTV and Believe Media. Who or what got you started in film making and how did how did Believe Media and MassMuscleTV originate?
